Although consuming alcohol in moderation has some health benefits, abusing the substance can be harmful. Short and long-term alcoholism side effects are detrimental to your physical, psychological, social, and emotional health. If you’re addicted to alcohol, a Jacksonville FL alcohol rehab center can put you on the path to healing, which is why it’s vital to get rehab info.
Alcoholism Side Effects: Short Term
Most people can drink one or two alcoholic beverages a day without negative side effects. However, keep in mind that just a few drinks may slow down brain activity, which can lead to poor coordination and slow reflex time.
As alcohol slows your central nervous system, it can make you feel relaxed. Because it reduces your inhibitions, you may also feel euphoric and confident.
However, drinking too much in one sitting doesn’t always make you feel so good. While binge drinking isn’t the same thing as alcoholism, they can be related. Individuals with an alcohol use disorder might be able to abstain from the substance for several days but drink to excess once or twice a week. Some people who struggle with alcohol abuse drink more than the recommended amount on a regular basis.
Binge drinking can lead to short-term alcoholism side effects, including:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blackouts
- Lowered body temperature
- Hangover
Alcoholism Side Effects: Long Term
If you continue to drink more than moderately, your health can suffer profoundly. Alcohol interrupts the communication within your brain. This can cause changes in mood, depression, and anxiety.
Drinking in excess can also damage your heart. Alcohol increases your blood pressure, which makes your heart work harder than it has to. You may develop an irregular heartbeat or increase your risk of stroke if you have an alcohol abuse disorder. The tissue of the heart muscle can also stretch out and droop over time, weakening this vital organ.
Alcoholism side effects also show up in other organs, including the liver and pancreas. The liver filters out chemicals that aren’t good for your body. While it can handle a moderate amount of alcohol, it becomes strained and damaged when you overload it.
If you drink in excess on a regular basis, you may be more likely to come down with illnesses. You also increase the likelihood of developing more severe conditions, such as pneumonia. Alcoholism also increases your risk of certain cancers.
Alcohol Rehab Centers Can Help
Without help from high-quality Jacksonville FL alcohol rehab center, you or your loved one’s alcohol dependency will only get worse. The best alcohol programs offer beneficial modalities that help individuals achieve sobriety, including:
- Gender-responsive men’s and women’s rehab program options
- Holistic recovery approaches like yoga, meditation, and acupuncture
- Multiple levels of care to ensure treatment continuity
- Access to post-treatment support in the form of formal aftercare programs, sober living homes, and alumni programs
Don’t wait until it’s too late to get help. Get addiction rehab center info and find out why the alcohol addiction treatment center Jacksonville residents count is closer than you think.
